Zlatan Ibrahimovic has often found fault with various aspects of FC Barcelona since he left under a cloud in 2010. The Swedish striker has blamed Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi and other things for his failure to make a real success of his time in Catalonia, but he seems to be finally mellowing. Sweden and Argentina meet in a friendly game tonight, and Ibra has been saying very nice things about Messi before they meet on the pitch in Stockholm.

“Leo is a fantastic player. Individually, surely he is the best in the world. It is needless for me to say it. Many people agree, and that is why he has won so many awards in recent seasons.”

The Swede is looking forward to competing with Messi tonight, but admits that Messi’s recent form means the two are not in the same league. Ibrahimovic said earlier in the week that he wanted to stay at Barcelona, and promised Guardiola that he would play wherever necessary and fit in with Messi in order to remain at the club, but he has said many different things since leaving.

He used to blame Messi, saying the little Argentinean forced him out by insisting on playing in his position, but seems to have forgotten all that now. Even if it was true, Messi’s goals have proved that it was the right thing to do anyway.